FLYIN’ MONKSis our final BREWERY OF THE MONTH Brewview for Adelbert’s Brewery. Quadrupels are our very favorite style of beer, and we saved (in our opinion) the best beer from Adelbert’s for last. Being that we have fully enjoyed 7 of their previous beers, it was difficult (to say the least) to wait nearly a full month to taste this excellent quad. We were highly rewarded for our patience! NOTE: On the label, it stated that it was bottled on June 27, 2014, and it was batch #6.

BEER STYLE AND COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION FROM ADELBERT’S BREWERY

Style category: Belgian-Style Quadrupel

THE ALE: This is a richer version of our Dancin’ Monks Dubbel, conditioned on oak cubes used by the Spirit of Texas Distilleries to age their Pecan Street Rum. While no additional alcohol is derived from the conditioning process, the oak adds a rich complexity to the ale. Pair with dark chocolate desserts or bold cheeses.

THE STORY: Ever wondered what step or move might take you from dancing to flying? We helped by taking our Dancin’ Monks Dubbel and making it bolder and richer, with the deep complexity of a Quadrupel thanks to Pecan Street Rum soaked oak. We must have been drinking Philosophizer the day we cam up with it. We think Del would approve. Enjoy the flight…

OUR BREWVIEW OF ADELBERT’S FLYIN’ MONKS

APPEARANCE / THE POUR:
10.9% ABV. Poured into the Adelbert’s Brewery snifter-shaped glass, and served at 55°F. Pours a deep mahogany /copper color. It is bottle conditioned, and of course we poured the yeast sediment into the glass… The head easily poured a 2-finger height (we ensured this was a “Beer Clean” glass). The head color is off-white, thick, tight bubbles, and dense. As the head collapses, it leaves behind even sheeted Brussels lacing in the glass. The rim variation is a deep golden color, and the meniscus is very slow rising as you would expect for a high gravity beer. You can see gentle champagne type bubbling from the bottom of the glass when it is poured. Five minutes after being poured, it still was holding a nice 1/4″ head. 15 minutes into drinking, it continued to hold an 1/8″ head- very impressive.

AROMA / BOUQUET:Extremely complex, rummy, raisiny, high alcohol nose, very deep caramel, very rich, there is a faint cocoa nib aroma in the background. The bouquet is heavily influenced by the Pecan Street Rum oak chips that it is conditioned in.

TASTE:There’s a definitive rum-like and fig sweetness up front. Raisiny and sweet deep treacle toffee notes. Almost an Almond Roca Buttercrunch toffee sweetness. Very deep caramel, the chocolate / cocoa notes are lighter, and more in the background. The taste complexity increases as the beer warms up.

MOUTHFEEL / PALATE:The finish is sweet, but with some barrel tannins. It finishes almost like a rum or a liqueur. This beer does not hide its alcohol at all- and we like that! The aftertaste lingers long and strong.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:ADELBERT’S FLYIN’ MONKS is brewed at World Class level most definitely! Being fans of Belgian-Style Quadrupels, this is our favorite beer by Adelbert’s Brewery by far. Most quads tend to be on the dark chocolate colored side, this is a Quad that is one of a kind. Very few quads have this dark mahogany / copper color and offer this level of complexity and sumptuousness. It could please the most discerning Belgian drinker- if Adelbert’s took this to Belgium and did a blind tasting against the top Trappist or secular brewed quads, it could hold up very, very well. It has the finesse of a fine rum, and notes of (dare to say), cognac.

Wow wow wow… we were privileged to gain special collaboration with the brewery to Brewview this beer. For our local area, you can pick this up at Liquor Barn in Redding, California. Flyin’ Monks is a super complex, sophisticated beer, and is brewed to a high level of excellence. This beer is destined to be a classic!

Now here’s something we have NEVER suggested on Belgian Beer Journal… this beer is robust enough to have it mixed (cut) with a small amount of the Spirit of Texas Distilleries Pecan Street Rum- it would not fold under the pressure! Don’t go overboard, just add a small splash, and see what you get! Tap into your mixologist side…

Our final Brewview for August 2014’s BREWERY OF THE MONTH is a huge hit with us! Flyin’ Monks would be another great beer to lay down and cellar up to 5-10 years. We will include this in our top 100 Belgian-Style beers of all time, it’s that good. More liquorish than a beer, you must have this one, and ENJOY THE FLIGHT as we did! Moderately priced, the awesome experience you get from drinking Flyin’ Monks FAR SURPASSES the cost. Trust us- don’t die before you enjoy Flyin’ Monks!